NIGEL Bottom Managing Director of British Lubricant Manufacturer Witham Group and Board Member of the United Kingdom ’ s Lubricant Association , tells us more …

Well , the short answer is YES it does and NO they are not but let me explain why .

As well as baseline ACEA or API specifications the OEM ’ s ( Original Equipment Manufacturer ) also produce their own more targeted specifications .

This specification will be tailored to their particular requirements and will generally use an industry standard as a baseline but include increased severity for certain tests important to that OEM .

So often in handbooks you will see recommended an industry specification listed together with the OEM ’ s own .

It has never been more important to following the manufacturers specification requirements . Modern equipment is built on extremely tight tolerances , often use exotic materials , and have extremely sophisticated electronic systems , the lubricant is a fundamental and arguably single most important part of this engineering symphony . It is the only component that comes into contact with all moving parts providing a protective film , it must absorb and neutralise acidic compounds caused by fuel combustion . It must be capable , in the case with hybrid vehicles , to cope with long periods of inactivity and still provide immediate protection when required . It must transfer heat , trap contaminants , and hold these in suspension until the next scheduled service amongst many other tasks .

Take a moment to consider exactly what the lubricant is achieving ; for example , the average car oil pump will pump

approximately 9 litres per minute . The average European engine car engine oil capacity is 4-6 litres , so the entire sump capacity is passing through the engine in less than a minute , every minute for 20,000 miles or in some instances 2-years . Scale this up to commercial , agricultural vehicles and plant and it ’ s actually astounding that a fluid is capable of providing this kind of protective performance over this length of time , and it ’ s only possible because of the exhaustive test work performed by the OEM and additive companies . This will involve extensive laboratory work and field trials costing in many cases millions of dollars and taking years to finalise .

The same is true of all fluids , hydraulic , transmission and final drives all require , to varying degrees documented and verified validation of performance .

Using the correct viscosity is also crucial to the overall performance of the equipment ,

viscosity is unarguably the single most important physical property of a lubricant . Think of it like blood in the human body , if it is too thin , we risk compromised blood pressure , too thick and it will not circulate to the vital organs efficiently enough compromising or even ceasing their function . The same is true of the lubricant , viscosity is absolutely paramount to the trouble-free operation of the equipment .

Using the incorrect OEM ( Original Equipment Manufacturer ) specification lubricant in a vehicle can lead to many potential issues :

Increased Wear and Tear :

The incorrect lubricant may not provide the necessary protection for the components , leading to increased friction and wear .

Reduced Performance :

The vehicle ’ s performance may be negatively affected , including reduced fuel efficiency and power output .

Damage to Vehicle Components :

Certain components of the vehicle may be damaged if the incorrect lubricant is used . For example , the wrong oil could cause damage to seals , leading to oil leaks or reduce or even render inoperative after-treatment devices such as catalytic convertors if the incorrect chemistry is used .

Voided Warranty :

If the vehicle or machinery is still under warranty , using the incorrect lubricant could potentially void the warranty .

It ’ s important to note that an oil that fully meets the OEM specification will not invalidate your warranty . The European Commission operate under the Block Exemption Regulation , which means owners and operators can have their equipment serviced or repaired in any chosen workshop without invalidating their manufacturer ’ s warranty , as long as the work , parts , and oil are of appropriate and matching standard to that of the manufacturer .

Therefore , it is very important that you use a trusted lubricant partner , one who is expertly qualified to understand the specifications and can demonstrate their products fully meet the OEM requirements . In the unlikely event of a warranty claim your lubricant partner should be able to produce documented third-party proof of compliance with the OEM specification in question ensure validity of the claim .